Knitting machine



Y 1,662,627 A. A ADLER yE1' AL KNITTING MACHIN sheets-sheet 1 March 13, 192a N SRM MW N maf ww S. m A

W mmm MH March 13, 1928.

A. A. ADLER ET AL KNITTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 9. 192D 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 R nu m0 EA V m March 13, 1928. 1,662,627

A. A. ADLER ET Ar.

KNITTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 9, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 O OO OO OO OO Oa o n 4 I?, ooooo e ooooo o ATTORNEY.

March 13, 1928.

A. A. ADLER AL KNITTING MACHINE e o oo oo oe oo o s Ooooo ooooo d Q .M o no4 oo eo co S o o abs | .H NEN dimm@ March 13, 1928. 1,662,627

A. A. ADLER ET AL KNITTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENToRs ATTORNEY.

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Patented Mar. 13, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALFRED A. ADLER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., AND HARRY ALBERTMAN, Ol' PHILADEL- IPI-IIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNORS T JACQUARD KNITTING MACHINE CO., INC., 0F UNION HILL, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

XNITTING MACHINE.

Application filed September 9, 1920. Serial No. 409,201.

Our invention relates to knitting machines and is directed to the production of knit fabric incorporating patterns or designs of all kinds, i. c.7 fancy fabrics in general.

Circular knitting machines with pattern mechanisms of the types heretofore used can bc adapted to produce a certain limited variety of regular patterns, but are incapable of producing, in a practical manner and for the every day purposes of commerce, a complicated design requiring more than a few dissimilar courses or rows of stitches to complete it. Flat lmittingmachines have been used to produce more complicated designs, but the process with fiat machines is a slow and expensive one. Therefore the production of brocadc-like patterns for eX ample, has been left exclusivelyv to the art of weaving where the construction of the pattern or design may be controlled effectively by a chain of perforated paper cards adapted to control the formation of every stitch, if desired, and in which art accordingly the design may be of any complexity and sub: stantially any size lengthwise of the cloth. Une ot the principal features of our invention is that we have discovered a manner of combining a paper pattern with a knitting machine that is wholly practical and highly economical, especially in connection with circular knittingr machines, and have thereby made it possible to produce readily, on circular knitting machines, the most intricate patterns and patterns which it has heretofore been impossible to produce practically on circular machines. The invention also involves other matters as hereinafter appears.

The Invention will bc best understood from a description of a machine embodyingr it. 1n the accinnpauying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a central sectional View of a circular knitting machine embodying the invention.

Fig. Q is a plan .view of the same.

Fig. 3 a plan View of one of the units or sections ot' the pattern mechanism taken on the line Cfs of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view` of a needlejack of Fig.' 1.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a unit or sec tion of the pattern mechanism, the ratchet thereof being shown in elevation.

Fig. `5 is a substantially similar sectional view showin the ram of the unit in depressed position.

Fig. Gis another sectional View of the same taken substantially on the line 6*-6 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a detail, in cud elevation, shoiving the latch for holding the platen shaft in place in one of the pattern units.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic elevation showing a development of the cams of a single feed or operating group and indicating the relation of the cams to one another and to the needles and needle-jacks.

Fig. 9 is a similar View showing the cams in a more advanced position with respect to the same pattern unit.

Fig. 10 is a further diagrammatic View showing the cams in a still more advanced position, and

Figs. 11 t0 14 are views showingseveral relative positions of the needles and yarn in the machine illustrated.

In these drawings the invention is illustrated with reference to a circular knitting machine of standard type, the needles being of the latch type and the organization being such that thc design is distinguished from the background by the use of two different kinds of stitches, i. tuck and plain knit stitches. In the production of knit stitches the needle operation is that shown in Figs. 11 and 12. At the beginning ofthe `formation of a new kuit stitch` the needle 11 is raised so high that the latch 13 clears the previous loop 11; the thread then laid against the needle indicated at 15. Fig. 11) and subsequently the ncedle is caused to descend. In its downward movement the hooked end of the needle catches tln` thread (as shown in Fig. 1:2) and the further descent of the needle through the loop 14 of a. prior stitch. causes this loop to close the latch 13 and thus permits this loop to slip over the top of the needle` thuslcaving a new loop 14, formed of the thread 15, hangmgon the needle when the needle rises again. The manner in which tuck stitches are made is illustrated in Figs. 13 and 14. In this case the needles are not raised quite high enough to enableV the end of the latch 13 to clear the prior loop 14 (Fig. 13). Upon the .descent of the needles from this tuck position. the hooked end of the needle 11 not only carries with it the new-iaid thread 15 but it also contains thc previous loop 14 (Fig. 14) since the old loop 14 is not now ermitted to slip over the top of the needle. oth loops are thus retained in the needle until such a time, during a subsequent operation, when the needle is elevated to the knitting position of Fig. 11. W'hen this occurs the following descent of the needle will cause the formation of at least a double loop 14, the original number 14 being allowed to slip over the top of the needle along with the thread or threads laid therein subsequently.

The principles of these stitches are well understood. In the machine of Figs. 1 to l0, there is the usual cylinder 10 vertically grooved for the reception of and constituting the bed of a bank or series of latch needles 11. A cam 20 is arranged to raise all the needles to tuck height as shown in Figs. 1 and 8. In addition a master pattern mechanism is provided through the agency of which any needle may be raised still higher, namely to the knit stitch position. Acoordingly` any one of the needles may at any one of its operations, according to the dictates of the pattern controlling element, function to produce either a knit stitch or a tuck stitch and the result of these diverse stitches will be the desired design in the tinal finished knitted fabric. The stitch cam 21.

retracts all the needles to their lowermost position (Fig. 14) to complete the stitches.

The master pattern mechanism is divided into a number of sections 28 (see Fig. 2) in the machine illustrated. There may be any number of these units or sections so long as they are in sntiicient number to assure the exercise of the pattern-control on each controllable needle in advance of each feed the action of which is intended to be modified by the pattern mechanism; this will be understood better after the operation is described. The-sections are preferably distributed around the cylinder in order to bring the pattern mechanism into direct rclation with every controlled needle. being eqniangnlarly distributed if cvery needle, or clluiangnlarly distributed needles are to he controlled. lt will bc observed that each section of this mechanism includes one of the belt-like sections lil into which the patternrontrolling element is divided. These pattern .sections are perforated in accordance with the design to be knitted into the fabric as will also be understood from the matter hereafter.

shown in Fig. l. thc needle cylinder is elongated or made .somewhat longer than usual, and a series of needle-liftine,r 'jacks 22 are arranged in the knitting cylinder grooves 23. one below cach of the needles to be controlled b v the pattern Vln effect. these arc extensions` of. or elongate the needles, and this permits the preferred placing of the pattcrn mechanisms outside of the needle cy memes? inder and underneath the machine bedplate as shown in Fig. 1. In the present instance, these jacks are adapted to be lifted in part by the pattern mechanism and in part by a jack cam 24 (Fig. 8) which is also carried by the cam ring 31 which carries the needle cams 20 and 21. Fig. 1() shows that the position of the lifting cam Q4 with respect t0 the projections or butts 25 of the jacks is such that if the jacks remain in their lowermost position they will not be engaged by the cam 24. but if any jack he given an initial upward movement by the pattern mechanism so as to bring its butt above the level of the point 26 of this cani then such jack will be raised by the cani and will lift the corresponding needle to knit position, i. e. its latch will be carried through the fabric. The cam 24 is also a needle raising cam therefore. The jacks Q2 are raised initially, i. e., above the point 26, by jack levers-27 `which are grouped into and form parts of the several pattern-control sections or units 28. These levers are placed substantially radial of the cylinder bed of the needles (Fig. 3), and their pivot bearings are supported in a fixed position with respect to the cylinder wherein the inner end of each lever extends into a slot in the needle cylinder and underneath a jack (Fig. 1). They may vary in length to correspond to the curvature of the needle cylinder (see Fig. 3). Above the outer ends of the jack levers 27 a rant 29 is provided in each of the sections 2S to operate the jack levers thereof (Figs. 1, 3, 4 and 5). These rams are vertically controlled by the cam 3() (Figs. 5, 8. 9 and l0) which is secured to the under face of the cam ring 31 and serves to depress the rams of all the sections 28 successively, or progressively around the machine, as the cam cylinder rotates. This cam engages the anti-friction rollers 32 on the upper ends of the plungers 33. The space between the outer ends of the jack levers 27 and the ram Q9 is sach however that the levers QT will not be directly engaged thereby, but the connection may be completed selectively by a series of selector levers 35 (Figs. 1, 3, 4. 5 and (i) of which there is one for each of the jack levers 2T. These selector levers 35 are also grouped into and form parts of the units Q8 (see Figs. 1 and The slots 38 therein permit the selector levers to move longitudinally into and out of connectioncompleting position underneath the ram, as well as turn on their fnlcrums or transverse supporting pins 37, and each one is under the control of a spring 39 which normally holds its selector retracted from connectiont-ompleting position. Iach selector 35 is further provided with a fcclcr which may he an integral linger 38. and the springs 39 are slightly inclined (Fig. 4) so as to also pnl? the feeler fingers down lightly toward Sil lill) Lenmar the pivoted platen roller 40, of which there is one in each unit, or section Q8. rlhis platen roller 40 carries the portion 12 of the pattern-controlling element alloted to its section or unit 28, and is provided With -lon gitudinal grooves 41with which the perforations in the pattern-controlling element 12 are arranged to coincide as the platen is turned and the clement 1Q advanced and new to perforations are brought nnthrneath the 'group ot' teelers. Accordingly whenever a perforation in the pattern-controlling ele ment is presented to a feeler, that Ateeler is pulled down through it and into one of the 15 grooves 41. But whenever an unpert'orated portion of the pattern sheet 12 lies underneath a feeler, then that teeler is pressed lightly and only lightly, against. the pattern sheet and. the latter holds the feeler elevated zo and out of the cylinder groove.

The perforations or pattern calling agencies are arranged in rows crosswise of the pattern-controlling element as appears in Fig. (i. Likewise the 'fcclcrs are arranged 15 in a row crosswise of the pattern-controlling element as has appeared hereinbefore. Those selectors whose feelers 1lb* tind perforations in the pattern sheets 1Q and tall into the grooves 41 of the rollers are pushed forward successively by the successive turning of the platens, one after another, into connection-completing position underneath the rains 29. To this end the platens 40 are rotated successively, and step-by-step, by means of pawls 43 carried on the plungers 4l which are depressed successively by the cam 4.3; This cam is also secured to the under side ofthe cam ring 31 (Fig. 1) along with the cani 30. lVhen one of the plungers 44 is moved downwardly bv the cani 45 its platen roller 4G is lirst rotated through a sutlicient are to cause the engaged selectors 85, that is to say, those whose feelers 3h have found perforations in the pattern sheet` and passed 45 downwards into a groove 41 ot that platen.

to be projected between the ends ot' the corresponding jack levers 2T and the ram Qt). The other selectors remain retracted. 'Ihus in Fig. l (compare with Figs. 4 and 5) the platen roller 4l) is shown at rest, and the feeler linger 38 of one of the selectors 35 is within one of the grooves 41 of the platen, while the corresponding linger ot' another selector is held above said groove by an impertorate portion of the local section 12 of the pattern-controlling element. The pawl 43 is thereupon pushed down by the cam l5 until the position shown in Fig. Al is reached. That selector 85 whose feeler linger 2in restno cd on an inlpertorate portion ol pattern 1:2 still remains in the position in which it was in Fig. l. i. e., retracted and inactive. 'l`bc other selector' 35 however whose lfcclcr linger S8 was engaged b v the groovt` 4l, has

moved forward until its upward projection 4G lies inward of the ram 29. The ram Q9 is now pushed down by the canl 30 (note the relation ot cam 30 to cani 45 in Fig. 8) and this brings the parts into the position shown in Fig. 5. In that ligure that or those selectors lo which have been moved forward into a position where they can be acted upon b v the ram 2U. have been pushed downwardly upon the corresponding jack levers, causing the roi-responding jacks 22 to he raised until their butts are now above the level of the point 2U on cam :24. This action (i. e.. the tipping or turning ofthe advanced selectors) has lifted the teelcr lingers 38 out ot the grooves 4l but the projections 4G of these selectors 35 (engaging the ram) teniporarily prevent the springs 39 from draw ing these selectors back. The cam 45 now 1depresses the plunger 43 still farther (note. the shape ot' this cani in Fig. 8,) thus bringing another groove 41 and row of perforations underneath the line of feeler fingers 3h. The cam il() now passes ott1 the roller '3:2 (and ram 45 otll the plunger 44) and the spring h() (Fig. 3) returns the ram to its upper position. This releases the projected selectors $55 of this pattern section and permits their spring 39 to draw them backward to the posi-tion of Fig. 1. in which position another selection of all the selectors of this group is made by its pattern section H; such teclers as now tind perforations below them tall into thc new groove 4l, or if the pat tern-controlling element is entirely impertorate. at that point, they all remain out of act`ou.

The parts having been gotten into the position shown in F ig. as before described, some ofthe jacks 22 are in elevated position as explained and presumably others have re mained in their normal or lower position. In other words, a relation is brought about such as is shown in Fig. 9. While the cam 2h) holds the rain 29 depressed and certain jarks elevated with their butts raised above the point :26 of the cam 24, the cam 24 comes into play and raises all raised jacks 22 still farther, and thus raising the corresponding needles l1 to the knitting position as shown in Fig. 10. From Figs. 9 and 10 it will be observed that the length of cani 30 and its relation to cam 24 are such that each ram 29 is held depressed until the cani Q4 has reached the last jack related to the respeet've ram. This is to assure that the butt of each raised jack is above the point 26 when the cani 24 reacties it. The jacks QE! which were not acted upon b v their jack levers .27 are. not attcctcd by thecam 24, and the needles ll corresponding to these latter jacks are only raised to the tuck position by the cam 20. ln the usual manner yarn is now laidin all the needles hy thel yarn guide of the same feed. that. is to say, by the yarn guide (shown in Fig. 1) coacting with the group of needle raising and stitch cams dis cussed, and thereafter the stitch cam 21 retract-s all the needles and thereby causes the formation of the appropriate stitches. The cam 54 restores all the jacks 22 to their normal or lower level.

A latch 51, (Fig. 7) may be conveniently employed to facilitate the temporary removal of the platen 40 from its bearings which hold it (or rather hold its axis) in a fixed relation to the enacting grou i of feelers 38. The platen is made readi y removable in order that new pattern sheets 12 may be substituted. The end of the platen shaft opposite the ratchet 42 may be groovcd circuniterentially to receive the latch 51 which is hingedion the frame as shown. and which thus secures the platen in the machine. By raising the latch 51 the shaft may be withdrawn, the platen taken out, and another pattern section 1Q substituted. Spring 55 will hold the plunger 44 against its cam 45. rl`his spring 55 (sce Fig. 1) is carried in a bracket on the frame and the lower end et the plunger 44 rests upon it. Springs 50 hold the rams 29 against the plunger-s 83 and these plungers against the cam 30.

By reference to Fi g. :2, it will be observed that the arrangement which has, been adopt` ed is such that while it allows each individual needle to be individually acted upon in a selected fashion, ample room between each two units 28 is provided for the operating mechanism, i. e. in this instance the plunger 44, pawl 43, and ratchet 452, the latch 51, bracket for spring 55, etc.

The platen 40 is shown as a rotatable cylinder with grooves, but obviously a pattern support of a ditlerent type ma be employed to accomplish the saine 'resu ts. lVe have found it desirable, however, that the pattern sections 12 pass around supports which have lxed axes near the feelers, as in the construction shown, so that the attern sections 12 are simply pulled aroun like a belt, without oscillation. Furthermore, such a construction minimizes the wear of the pattern .sheets under the action of the feelers, and entails a longer life for the pattern sheets 12 than some other possible constructions, and is a construction,which is particularly well adapted for knitting machines as will be understood.

The angular relation ot the various cams to each other around the axis of the needle cylinder, which determines the. order in which they act, is shown in part in Flg. 'l but more completely in Fig. ts'. Sun1mar1zing the operation of the machine as u whole with respect to the single' feed shown, its action is as follows: A suitable pattern sheet 12 is first prepared and a section placed on cach grooved platen 40; pins on the ends of the platens and corresponding holes 1n the edges of the section 12 cause the patterns 12 to advance with the turning of the platens. The pattern-controlling pcrt'orations in the pattern controlling element l2 are placed in such a relation to these edge holes that the piutorations always fall above the platen grooves 41, as before indicated. The di'tlercnt sect-ions of the pattern controlling element 12 may be perforated alike or differently for the various units 28 according to the design to be produced. Then the pattern sections 12 are in place, such teelers 38 as find perorations therein fall into grooves 41 of the various platen drums 40. As the cam ring 3l is now rotated by means of the bevelled pinion 47 which engages the circular rack 48 on the cam ring 31 (Fig. 2), the feeding cam 45 first turns one of the platen rollers 40 through approximately one-sixteenth of a revolution (since there are eight grooves 41 in each of the rollers 40 shown). This brings the parts of the said pattern unit 28 from the position shown in Fig. 1 to the position shown in Fig. 4. i. e., the wall of the groove Al1 of the turning platen has pushed against the feeler fingers that are within it and has pushed the corresponding selectors 3F into operative position between the ram Qland the jack levers 27. Continued turning of the cani ring 31 now causes the ram 2f) of the same pattern section to be thrust downward by the cam 30 and brings the cam 45 into operation on the next succeeding section Q8. In the first mentioned section 28 the depression 2f the ram Q9 brings about the relation of parts shown in Fig. 5, i. e., the initial elevation of the corresponding iacks 2Q and the lifting of the fallen teelers 38 ont of the groove in the platen. The platen is new given a further rotation of about one-sixteenth o'f a revolution (by cam 45) to bring a new groove 41 into feeler engaging position and the cams 45 and 30 then pass oil the plungers 44 and 33 -of the first mentioned section 28, the ram 29 rises, and the projected selectors 35 are returned by their springs to the selection-making position of Fig. 1. While tbe cam 30`is holding the ram 29 depressed in the first mentioned section 28, the cam ring 31 brings the cam Q4 to the jacks Q2 ot this part of the machine and such of those jacks 22 as have been raised by the levers 27 are now raised still higher by this .cam 24 and the corresponding needles are thereb raised to knit position, the other need es of this portion o the ymachine remaining in tuck position (Fig. 10) as before stated. The yarn guide now passes the needles corresponding to tlns tirs-t mentioned section 28, laying yarn in all of them and the raised jacks are1 then successively retracted by cam 54 while the needles are successively retracted by the stitch `cam 21 to form the appropriate stitches. that some of the needles of this portion of The result of these operations is.

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the knitting machine (i. e., those whose selectors 35 found perforations in the pattern sheet 12) have produced knit stitches while the others havel made tuck stitches, all as directed by the pattern sheet. All of the sections of the pattern mechanism are operated in this manner, successively, one after another, by the single set of cams illustrated, as the cam cylinder 31 continues to turn. Thilo the cams and 3() are acting on one section 28, the needles opposite another section 28 are being acted on by the raising cam 24 and behind that other needles and jacks are being retracted, i. e. stitches are being completed, by the cams 21 and 54. The operation of the machine therefore is a continuous one, needles being differentiated and set up by the pattern mechanism (in one portion of the machine) simultaneously with' the formation of stitches (in another portion of the machine), and the cylinder 31 turns without interruption. In brief the sections as a whole are operated progressively with respect to and in advance of each' pass or revolution of a feed, that is to say, 1n advance of each pass of a yann guide and its cooperating group of needle raising and stitch cams, such as has been described. By this meansI the feeler-to-needle couplings (by which I mean the mechanisms which eX- tend from the feelers to the cylinder, in the present instance the levers 35 and 27, and through the actuation of which the call of the pattern-controlling element is made effective on the stitch-forming elements) are operated progressively, round and round the machine, in advance of the feed, and thereby the control of the pattern element 12 is made manifest on each needle at a time when, for the moment, the respective needle is free of the needle actuating cams, and hence is free to receive a manifestation of the pattern control. By thus timing the action of the couplings with respect to the revolving cams the machine is permitted to operate continuously as aforesaid, the cam cylinder making rotation after rotation around the needle cylinder, all in one direction without stopping, each rotation adding a row or rows of stitches to the fabric. In thc present instance the feelers 38 are also differentiated progressively, i. e. by reason of the progressive operation of the pattern sections. Of course the nature of the design Vor designs knitted by the machine as a whole depends on the arrangement or location of the perforations in the pattern sheet sections considered as a Whole, each row of perforations in the whole group of pattern sheet sei-tions representing (in the machine illustrated) a complete single course `ior row of stitches and may be unlike every other row and the design accordingly intricate.

It may now be observed that knitted fabries ilu-orporaiing designs of the greatest complexity and great length of repeat may be produced on a commercial basis, that is to say, reliably and comparatively cheaply, since the mechanism is such that the pattern-controlling element 12 may be made of paper or other similarly light, thin materials and since very large pattern elements of such materials are readily handled on or with the machine Without rendering the whole device impractical and generally noncommercial. Furthermore, pattern sheets of light thin materials like paper are easily and cheaply made, so that a manufacturer may oil'er a larger variety of fabrics to his customers, and may make up new designs at little expense. Patterns in the form of endless belts like each of the pattern sections 12 (see Fig. l) are especially adapted for the work. le have made these thin, paperlight, mechanically weak, materials available for pattern-controls by using mechanisms therewith which leave to the patterncontrolling elements l2 onl or substantially only, the bare function of directing the knitting processes, all the operations Subsc nent to the bare call of the pattern-contro ling element on the feelers, that is to say, the` operations which require the exertion ot any considerable force, being performed by other elements than the pattern element. Thus no considerable labor is imposed on the pattern and mechanically Weak or paper-light materials are made suitable. The foregoing is illustrated in the machine shown in the drawings where the pattern-controlling element 12 is required sim ly to support the light pressure of the fee ers 38, and all the operations subsequent to the call of the feclers (by the fcclers falling into the pattern perforations) are brought about by other elements of the device operating around the machine progressively in advance of the respective feed passes, beginning with thc platens successively pushing against the feclers that find perforations and thereby pushing the corresponding selectors forward. In toto, it will be observed that we have adapted principles of the well-known weaving Jacquard mechanism (as heretofore employed in the art of weaving) to knitting machines generally.

ly the term feed it Will be understood that we refer to a yarn guide and the group of respectively associated members (customarily cams) which project and retract or otherwise actuate the stitch-forming elements in coordination with it; each complete individual pass or complete revolution ot' a feed about the machine axis adds a course or row of stitchcsto the fabric, some of which may he Welt stitches, however, and the place of the welt later further occu iied with a stitch of another variety by a su scquent passage of a feed, as will be understood. There welt stitches are to be emlll ployed, the earn 20,- as a means raising the needles to tuck position, is omitted, with the result that no needle is raised to a yarnrecciving position except when its action is initiated by the pattern mechanism.

It will be observed that our invention is not limited to thelifting of latch needles but it may be applied to other types of elements forming or assisting in the formation of the stitches. Furthermore it is not limited to the production of designs or Vl'ancy effects through the agency of knit and tuck stitches; inasmuch as it provides means for causing cach stitch forming element to act on yarn only as and when desired, the invention may be utilized for the production of fabrics and designs in numerous Ways that Will occur to those skilled in this art. Also it is not essential that each Jeeler coact with a single stitch-forming element although a feeler for every individual element produces a design having the clearest and most definite outline and affords the greatest possible degree of independent action to the stitch-forming elements, and hence the greatest Variety in design or patterns. Where designs are to be equally producible throughout any and every part of the Width of the cloth the pattern-controlled stitch-forming elements must be distributed, that is to say, substantially regularly placed, throughout the Whoie of the needie bed, e. g. substantially equiangularly placed around thc needle cylinder of a circular machine. These and other modifications are Within the scope of our invention as appears from the appended claims.

lWe claim:

The combination in a knitting machine, of a circular bank of stitch-forming elements, a pattern-controlling element, a pluraity of feelers to coact therewith, couplings extending from said feelers to control the action of said stitch-forming elements, and other means to actuate said couplings in accordance with the cali of the pattern-controlling element on the leclers, said means being so timed with respect to the formation ot' stitches that said means can actuate each coupling intermediate the completing of loo is by the respectively corres ending` stitch-forming element and While other stitch-forming elements are completing loops.

2. r1`he combination in a knitting machine, of a circular bank of stiteh-t'orn'ling elements, a pattern-controlling element, a plurality of feelers to lightlv engage therewith, couplings extending troni said feelers to control the action oi said .stitch-forming elements, and other means, independent of the pattern-controlling element, Vtor actuating said couplingsK to control the action of the Stitch-forming elements in accordance with the cali of the feelers by the pattern-controlling element, said means being arranged bo actnate the Whole of the structure comprising each coupling so that the patterncontrolling element has substantially only the 4duty of selecting between teelers bearing against it, and said means actuating the selet-ted couplings progressively, round and round the machine, While the cam cylinder rotates in one direction.

3. rI'hc cc'mibination in a circular knitting machine of the circular bank of stitch-forming elements, a group of feelers mounted on the knitting machine at the side of the needle cylinder, a perforated pattern-controlling element occupying a fixed position with respect to the group of feelers, the feelers being adapted to enter the perlorations therein, means for advancing the patterncontrolling element, to make the new calls on the teelers, coupling members engaging the teelers for diilerentiation among themselves by the entry of feelers into the perforations in the pattern-controlling element, and a cani revolving around the axis of the needle cylinder to actuate differentiated couplings to cause the stitch-forming elements to act in accordance with the call of the patterncontrolling eiement.

Lit. In a knitting machine, the combination of a circular bed for stitch forming elements, a pattern-(aintrolling element thereior, teelers, the feelers and the patternraliing agencies of the pattern-controlling element being arranged in rows substantially cross-Wise of the latter, couplings relating the feelers to, said bed to control the action of the stitch-forming elements, and other means to move the couplings to control the stitch-forming elements, said means be ing arranged to actuate the couplings progressively while the machine is forming stitches but being so timed in its action that each coupling to be moved to affect the formation of a stitch, is moved in advance of the completion of the loop of said stitch.

5. The combination with a knitting machine, having stitch-forming elements arranged in a circular bank, of a perforated pattern-controlling element of -elongated form having its perfor-ations arranged in rows crosswise of itself. feelers adapted to reach into the perforations and thereby be called in various combinations, said feelers being coupled tothe stitch-forming elements to control their action, means for advancing the pattern -controlling element lengthwise to bring successive.pattern perforations to the i'eelers while said stitrh-i'orlning elementsl are forming stitches, and other means performing the subsequent oiierations consequent on the said calling of ,the feelers so that the said pattern-controlling element performs substantially only the bare function of directing the knitting processes, said last mentioned means operating simultaneously loo with the formation of stitches but being timed to exercise its control at ditferent points around the circular machine separately and at each point exercising its control while the knitting is interrupted for the moment at this point.

6. In a circular knitting machine, the combination with a circular bank of stitchforining elements,' of a pattern-controlling element, having its pattern calling agencies arranged in rows substantially crosswise of itself, feelers to coact therewith, couplings reaching from the respective feelers to ail'ect the operation of the stitch-forming elements, means for advancing the pattern element While stitches are being made, and other means for actuating said couplings by groups seriatim in accordance with the cali of said pattern-controlling element on said feelers to eiect the control of the respective stitch-forming elements, said last mentioned means actuating each selected coupling while stitch-forming elements corresponding to preceding couplings arc completing stitches.

7. In a circular knitting machine, in combination with a circular bank of needles and a stitch cam, ot a patterncontrollingr element of elongated form, to be advanced length-Wise while the stitch cam is acting on the needles, a plurality of feeler members arranged in groups, the feeler members ot each group coacting simultaneously with the pattern element, couplings extending from the feelers, and other means for actuatingall the couplings that are to be actuated to cause the needles to operate in accordance with the pattern-controlling element, the pattern element making its calls on the groups of feeler members progressively around the machine in the formation of in dividual rows of stitches and making its calls on each group while the stitch cam is operating on the needles coupled to a preceding group.

8. In a knitting machine, the combination of stitchfforming elements, a pattern-controlling clement, a plurality of feclers to coact therewith, said feelers and the patterncalling agencies ot the pattern-controlling element being arranged in rows substantially crosswise of the latter, a coupling means for coupling each of said feelers to a Stitchforming element so as to control the action thereof, and other means for actuating progressively, in the formation of individual rows of stitches, those of said couplings that are called by the action of the pattermcontrolling element on the leelers.

9. In a knitting machine, the combination with a circular bank of stitch-forming elements, pattern-controlling means having its pattern-calling agencies arranged in rows substantially crosswise thereof, a` plurality of 'eelers arranged for coaction therewith, said pattern-controlling means calling progressively, while said machine is forming stitches, those eelers which are to he called to control an individual row of stitches, a coupling means for couplin' each of said ieelcrs to a stitch-'forming eil-ement so as to control the action thereo, and other' means for actuating the couplings progressively in the toi-mation of individual rows of stitches, and after the call of respectively corresponding ,feelers by the pattern-controlling means, to eli'cctuate the control of the stitchforming elements.

1t). ln a knitting machine, the combination ol a circular bank ot' stitch-forming elements, a stitch cam revolving about the axis olf said bank continuously in one direction, a pattern-controlling element, a plurality of t'eelcrs for coaction therewith for call thereby, a coupling for coupling each ot' said feelers to a stitch-forming element, and a cam revolving around the axis of said bank symlnfonously with said stitch cam for actuatingr couplings selected by the. action ot' the paitern-controlling kelement on the i'eclers to cause the stitch-forming elements to act in accordance with the call ot' the paliern-controlling element, said cam actuating the couplings progressively in advance of the action of said stitch cam on the corresponding stitch-forming elements and subsequent: to the action of the pattern-controllingr clement on thc corresponding feelers.

11. ln a knitting machine, the combination oi' a plurality ot' stitch-forming elements. a circular bed therefor, a cam ring having a stitch cam rotating about Said bed continuously in one direction, a pattern-controlling clement having its pattern calling agencies arranged in rows substantially crosswisc ot' itself, a plurality ot' feelers for engagement therewith, a couplin for coupling cach of said fcclcrs to a stitc` -forming element to atiect the action thereof, said couplings having members distributed around the axis ot' and outside said bed of the stitch-forming elements, and a cam revolviner around the axis of said bank synchronously with said cam ring to` actuate the. said members ot' the couplings to cause the stitch-forming elements to act in accordance with the call ot' the pattern-controlling element on the, feelers and while the cam ring is rotating as aforesaid, the last mentioned cam actuating said coupling members subsequent to the call of the corresponding feeler by the pattern-controliino' element.

1Q. In a knitting machine, the combination ot' a circular hunk of stitch-forming elements, a patterncontrolling clement, a plurality of l'celers to coact willi said pattern` controlling clement for call thereby, couplings for coupling said feelers to the stitch- (itt forming elements and controlled by said feelers, each of said couplings including a lever and said levers being substantially uniformly distributed around the axis of the bank of stitch-forminelr elements, and a` cam revolving about said axis continuously in one direction to move said levers in accordance with the call thereof by the t'eclers, the pattern-controlling element beingr advanced to bring new calls to the feelers while said cam is revolving?,E to etlect the action of the stitch-forming elements.

13. In a knitting machine, the combination of a circular bank of stitch-forming elements, a pattern-controlling; element, a plurality of feelers which eoact with said pattern-controlling clement for call thereby, a lever and jack between cach of said feelcrs and a stitch-framing element through which the control of the stitch-forming element is exercised, other means for operating the levers progressively around said bank in accordance with the call of the feelers by the pattern-controlling element. said other means making a number of successive passes around the machine, all in one direction, while new calls are being made but beiner so timed as to operate each selected lever subsequent to the action of the pattern-controlling element on the corresponding feeler. and a cam revolvingr about the axis of said bank for movingr the jacks as selected by said operation of the levers and thereby movingr the corrcspondinHr stitch-forming elen'icnt.

1l. ln a lcircular knitting machine, the combination with a circular bank of stitchtorming elements and a cam revolving;` about the axis of said bank to engage said stitchforming elements to retract the same, of a pattern-controlling element., a plurality of feelers to coact with said pattern element for call thereby, said feelers and the patterncalling agencies of the pattern-controlling element being arranged in rows substantiaily crosswise of the iatter, couplings between said feelers and stitch-forming ele ments, a cam revolviner about the axis ot said bank of stitch-forming eiements to artuate members of said couplings when advanced into its path, to malte theii` control manifest on tbi` projection of stitchformingy eienients to yarn-engaging position, and means for advancing: {wier-selected couplings to bring members ot the couplings into the path of the. last. mentioned cani, said iin-ans advancingF 'the seiectcd members prorrrssivrtv and in advance of said iast nientiourd raul while said rains are matting repeated r-ouipirte rerointions about said haar: artis in one direction.

t5. in u ltnittini machine. tlnl ennibiuat ion with s lied for stiii'h-forniing elements :ind cam tireneagije the stitch-formi; igtrint tbc suine, oi' a paiern-rontrotting et i plurality of feeirs enact. with suf-i pattern element for call thereby, couplings relating said feelers to said bed column, other means for moving' couplings Selected by the feelers to cause chosen couplings to be in advanced position with members ot the couplings in control-manifesting position, and another means for actuating said advanced couplinga members to make the control manifest on the stitch-forming elements.

iti. In a knitting;a machine, the combination with a bed for stitch-forming elements, means to project said elements` to engage the varn` and means to retract said elements at the complet ion ot the formation otl stitches, of a pattern-controlling element, a plurality of feelers to coart with said pattern-con` trollingr element for call thereby. couplings relating said feelers to said bed, other means t'or moving those couplings which are selected by the action of said pattern controlling element on the feelers to bringr members ot such couplings to positions wherein the control ot the stitch-forming elements may be effected, and another means for moving the said moved couplingr members to control the projection of the stitch-forming elements by the first mentioned means.

17. ln a knittingr machine` the combination with a bed for stitch-formingr elements and means to retract the stitch-fm'mine,r elements at the completion of stitches` of a pattern-controlling element. a plurality of feelers which enact` therewith foricall thereb v. couplings relating said feelers to said bed` other means for moving those couplings which are selected by the action ot the pattern-controlling element on the feelers to bring members ot such couplings into the path ot` the means hereinafter mentioned, and another means for moving the said moved coupling inenibers and thereby bringing about the rojection of the corresponding stitch-formingr elements to yarn engaging posit ion.

iS. ln a knitting machine, a bank of stitch-forming elements. a pattern-controlling` element therefor. a pluraiity of t'eelers for simultaneous call by the pattern-controlling element, couplings extending; from said teelers, other means to move the coupiings selected hy the action of the patterncontrolling element on the feeiers to brinf;r members ot such couplings to positions in which the action of the corresponding stitchi'orlning; elements may be brought about and to hohl said members in such positions, and another means to more the stitcli-orniingf eirnients rorresponding;r to the, moved con= giings. each said moved member beingr held in said moved position by said, holding means until the last' mentioned moving` means has reul'lnti tier :ditL'll-iii. .iig eietiftii' ttilef ve coupling nwniher.

k of stitch- "i "e' ill) a pattern-controlling element, a plurality of feelers for call therel'iy, couplings extending from said feelers, other means to actuate the couplings in accordance withthc call of said pattern element on thi` tcclers to project the corresponding jacks' and to hold the projected jacks in projected position, and another means to actuate the stitch-forming elements corresponding to the projected jacks, said holding means holding each projected jack in its projected position until said means for actuating the stitch-forming elements has reached the corresponding stitchsforming element.

20. In a knitting machine. the combination of a circular bank of stitch-forming elements, a yarn guide to revolve about the axis thereof, a pattern-controlling element for said bank, a plurality of leelers for simultaneous call thereby, means relating each of said feelers to a stitchsforming element, other means for actuating said relating means in accordance with the call of said feelers to cause movement of the respectively corresponding stitch-forming elements toward yarn engaging positions, and a cam revolving around the axis ot said hank of stitch-forming elements, continuously in one direction at the same speed as said yarn guide, to complete the movement which brings those stitch-forming elements corresponding to the actuated relating means to yarn engaging positions.

2l. In a knitting machine, the combination of stitch-forming elements, a pattern controlling element, l'celers for call thereby, couplings extending from the feelers and comprising pivotcd hars engaging said feelers and arranged to turn on their pivots as the respective feelers actuate in accordance with the call of said pattern-controlling elcment, and other means to move, the hars ot those couplings which are diicrentialcd from the remainder of the couplings by some of the bars being turned on their pivots in accordance With the call of the pattern-controlling element, said means moving said bars longitudinally to effect the control of the corresponding stitch-forming elements.

22. ln a knitting machine, the combination of a circular bank ot stitch-totalling elements, a plurality of sections oit a pattern# controlling element arranged around the axis ot said bank, a plurality of feelcrs tor call hy. each of said sections. couplings relating said feelers to the stitch-forming elements and each including a pivoted har supported substantially radially oi the artis of said bank and engaging a feeler so as to turn on i its pivot on the actuation of its tccler at a call by the pattern-controlling clement, and other means to move said hars longitudially, said means acting on those 'ours Vwhich are differentiated from the remainder nt the bars by some of the bars being turned on their pivots under the call of the patterncontrolling element, and said means acting on such hars progressively, round and round said circular bank, tinA leed of the machine makes repeated one dii-ction revolutions round said bank.

23. AV pattern mechanism for knittlng machines having in combination a recessed rotilting platen drum, a perforated pattern sheet cooperating with said platen, a plurality of selectors movable pivotally and longitudinally and having feelers arranged to pass through the pattern sheet perforations and enter the platen recesses, such selectors as enter the recesses being moved lmigitudinally by the platen, as the latter rotates, and means cooperating with the projected selectors to turn them pivotally and to retract the 'feelers from the platen recess.

24. A knitting machine, comprising in combination stitch-forming elements carried in a cylinder, controlling mechanism for said elements comprising levers arranged in groups about the cylinder, actuating means tor each group of levers coinprising a ram, selector members, and pattern means for causing predetermined selector members to he located in cooperative relation between the rain and levers so that the corresponding levers may be actuated by the ram, and means tor actuating the rams and advancing said pattern means to make new selections `trom the selector members.

Q5. A Jacquard type knitting machine comprising in combination a grooved cylinder, latch needles in said grooves, actuating mechanism tor the needles comprising levers arranged in groups circunilerentially about the loivcr end of the needle cylinder, actuating means for each group of levers comprising a ram, selector members, and mechanism lor causing selected selector members to be located in cooperative relation between the ram and levers whereby the corresponding levers may be actuated by the rain, and cam means revolving around the needle cylinder Vfor aiituatii'ig the rams.

2li. A Jacquard type knitting machine comprising in combination a grooved cylinder, latch needles and needle-jacks in said grooves` actuating mechanism for said jacks comprising jack-levers` arranged in groups circuinferentially about the cylinder, actuating mezins vl'or each group of said jack levers comprising a ram, selectors, a pattern mechanism t'or causing' selected selectors to he located in rizo-operative relation to the ram and jaclclcvcrs, a member Alor-actuating said ram and a second member' for actuating the pattern mechanism step hy step.

2T. ln a knitting machine, the combination ot :i circular bed for stitch-'forming elements, :i Non Ytor proicrting said elements. a stitch caio i'or retracting said elements. said cams reveivtng around the axis el said bank of stitch-forming elements continuously in one direction, a pattern-controlling element,4

- respectively in advance of the action of the tirst mentioned cam on the corresponding stitch-forming elements, to control the action of said first-mentioned cam on the stitchforming elements.

Q8. In a knitting machine, the combination of a circular bed for sliding needles, a raising cam for raising the needles, a stitch cam for retracting the needles from such positions to complete the stitches, said cams revolving around the axis of said needle bank continuously in one direction, a pattern-controlling element, a plurality of feelers to c0- act therewith for call thereby, said feelers and the pattern calling agencies of the pat tern-controlling element being arranged in rows substantially crosswise of the latter, a coupling relating each of said feelers to said bed, and other means to actuate said couplings in accordance with the call of the feelers to cause said raising cam to raise the corresponding needles, said means acting on the couplings progressively in individual revolutions of the cams and in advance of the action of the raising cam.

29. In a knitting machine, a circular bank of stitch-forming elements, a pattern-controlling element, feelers for call thereby, couplings extending from and controlled by said feelers, and a cam ring rotating continuously in one direction around said bank, said cani ring carrying a cam to proiect the stitch-forming elements, a stitch cam in the rear of said projecting cam, other means to actuate the footer-selected couplings to control the action of said projectin cam on the corresponding stitch-forming e ements, and means to advance the pattern-controlling element, said coupling actuating means actuating the couplin s subsequent to their selection by the fee ers and prior to the action of said retracting cam on the corresponding stitch-forming elements.

30. In a knitting machine, the combination of a circular bank of stitch-forming elements, a pattern-controlling element, feelers for call thereby, couplings extending from and controlled b said feelers, a cam ring to actuate said stitch-forming elements, said ring rotating around said bank of stitch-forming elements continuously in one direction, and means carried by said ring to actuate said couplings progressively, as the couplings are called by the feelers, to effectuate the control of the attern-controlling element on the stitchorming eiements.

31. In a circular knitting machine for the knitting of fancy fabrics, a circular bank of stitch-forming elements, a pattern-controlling element perforated in accordance with the fancy effect to be produced, a plurality of feelers for coaction therewith and arranged to move into the perforations therein as perforations are presented to the individual feelers b the pattern, the feelers thereby being di erentiated to direct the action of the stitch-forming elements, and said feelers and perforations being arranged in rows substantially crossvvise of the pattern-controlling element, couplings extending from the feelers to affect the action of the stitch-forming elements and other means to actuatc the couplings and the stitchforming elements in accordance with the differentiation of the feelers, said means actuating the couplings progressively in the formation of individual rows of stitches and While the knitting is going on continuously, round and round said bank, in one direction.

In a knitting machine, a circular bank of stitch-forming elements, a yarn guide therefor, means to move the stitch-forming elements in the formation of stitches, a plurality of pattern feelers arranged in groups, a section of a perforated pattern-controlling element for each of said feeler groups, the perforations thereof being arranged in rows substantially crosswise of the section, a coupling extending from each feeler to control the action of said moving me'a`ns on a stitch-termin element in accordance with the differentiation of the feelers brought about by feelers moving into pattern perforations, other means to actuate said coupling, means to support each pattern-controlling section in a fixed relation to said bank of stitch-forming elements and the eelers being arranged to move into the perforations thereof and means for advancing the pattern-controlling element sections progressively in the formation of individual rows of stitches and during the movement of the yarn guide in making repeated complete revolutions around the bank 'of stitchforming elements in one direction.

33. In a machine for knitting fabrics incorporating designs, the combination with a circular bed of stitch-forming elements, of a plurality of pattern mechanism sections fixed about the axis of said bank, each of said sections comprising a section of a pattern-controlling element, a group of feelers arranged in a row substantially crosswise of the corresponding pattern-controlling element section for call thereby, and a plurality of levers coupling said feclers to said hed to control the action of the stitch-forming elements in accordance with the call of the feelers, other means to actuate said levers, means providing a support for each of said sections of the pattern-controlling element, said supports being substantially fixed in position with res ect to the groups of feelers, and means or advancing the patterncontrolling element sections between their respective supports and the feelers callable thereb said means advancing the patterncontrolling element sections While knitting is going on around said circiilar bed continuously in one direction.

34. In a knitting machine for knitting fabrics incorporating designs, the combination With a circular bed of stitch-forming elements and a cam ring rotating thereabout and having a cam to actuate said stitchforming elements in the formation of stitches, of a atterri mechanism comprising aplurality ol) sections,'each of which sections comprises a section of a pattern-controlling element in the form of an endless belt perforated in accordance with the design to be knit, a group of feelers to simultaneously coact with said belt and individually move into the pattern perforations, a

roup of levers respectively related to the eelers, means providing a support for the section of the, pattern-controlling element, and bracket means for supporting said group of feelers, group of levers, and pattern section support, the various patternmechanism sections being arranged around the axis of said bed adjacent said cam ring, and other means carried with said cam ring for advancing all the sections of the patterncontrolling element between their respective supports and feelers to make successive calls on the feelers and for actuating the levers` s0 that they control the actuation of the stitch-forming elements by said stitchforming clement actuating cam in accordance with the call of the pattern-controlling' element on the feelers, said sections of the pattern-controlling element being advaneedseriatim in the formation of individual rows of stitches and while said cam is actuating stitch-forming elements to form stitches.

35. In a circular knitting machine the combination with a grooved cylinder and a series of needles and needle-jacks carried by said cylinder, of a plurality of control units arranged circumferentially about the cylinder, each unit comprising a section of a pattern contollin clement and a plurality of jack-levers subliect to the call of the respective section of the pattern-controlling element and cooperating with said jacks in accordance with said calls, other means to actuate the jack-levers, and means for advancing the pattern sections seriatim with respect to individual passes of a feed of the machine and While said feed is making repeated one-direction revolutions about the needle cylinder.

36. In a circular knitting machine, the combination of a circular bank of stitchforming elements, a plurality of control unitsV therefor arranged circumferentially around the axis of said bank, each unit comprising a section of a pattern-controlling element, a plurality of feelers subject to the call of the respective section of said patterncontrolling element, and a lever related to each of said feelers, the fulcrums of said levers being fixed in position, means for advancing said sections of the pattern-controlling element to make new calls on the feelers, said sections of the pattern-controlling element being advanced thereby seriatim with respect to individual passes of a feed of the machine and While said feed is making repeated one-direction revolutions about said bank of stitch-forming elements, and a cam revolving with said feed around the axis of said stitch-forming element bank, to turn on their fulcrums those levers, of all the units, which are differentiated by the call of the pattern controlling element on the feelers and thereby cause the desired operation of the corresponding stitch-forming eiements.

37..Ii1 a knitting machine, a circular bed for; stitch-forming elements, a pattern-controlling element, a plurality of feelers for call thereby, couplings relating said feelers to said bed and arranged in groups, other means for actuating as a unit all those couplings of a group which are selected by a call of the pattern-controlling element on the feelers and for holding such actuated couplings in actuated position, and a Cain for actuating the stitch-forming elements in accordance with the separation of the selected couplings from the remainder of the couplings which is due to the aforesaid actuation of selected couplings, said coupling actuating means acting on the groups progressively-in the formation of individual rows of stitches, in advance of the action of said cam on the corresponding stitch-forming elements, and while the cam is revolving round-and-round the bank of stitchforming elements continuously in one direction to add a plurality of complete rrows of stitches to the fabric, and said coupling holding means being adapted to hold each actuated coupling in actuated position until the said cam has acted upon the last stitchforming element corresponding to the. respective group of couplings.

38, In a circular' knitting machine. a circular bed for stitch-forming elements the axis of which is vertical, a pattern-minimiling element having the form of an endless belt perforated in accordance. with thi` design to be knitted, a supporting means therefor providing a horizontal axis around which said pattern-controlling element is advanced, feelers to engage with said pattern-controlling element in a substantially vertical direction adjacent said supporting means and enter the perforations therein, couplings relating the feelers to said bed and controlled b v the feelers, an other means to actuate the couplings in accordance with the call of the pattern-controlling element on the feelers to etfectnate the control of said element on the stitch-forming elements, said other means acting on the couplings in a substantially horizontal direction.

39. In a knitting machine, the combination ot' a circular bank of stitch-forming elements` a `varn guide therefor, a patterxrcontrolling element. a plurality of feelers to bear lightly thereagainst for call thereby, a coupling tor coupling each feelcr to a stitch-forming element, and other means for actuating said couplings in accordance with the call of the l'eelersl h v the inittcrn-contr(lling element to etl'mtuatc the control of the stitclntornnng elements, said means revolv ing around the axis of said bank at the saine rate as said yarn guidi= and being adapted to actuate all said couplings during each revolution.

4U. In a knitting machine the combination of a circular bank ot' needles. a patterneontrolling element, a plurality ol' i'eelers arranged in a row substantially erosswise ot the pattern-controlling element to enact with said pattern element for call thereby, couplings extending from said leelers to said needles, a cam revolving around the needle hank to -actnate members of said couplings, when advanced into its path, to cause the corresponding needles to rise to take on yarn, other means for moving the feelerselected couplings to bring members thereof into the path ot said cam progressively subsequent to their selection by the Yl'celers and in advance of said carrrwhile said cam is making repeated complete revolutions about the needle bank, and a stitch cam revolving with hut hehind the first mentioned cam to retract the raised needles to complete the stitches.

41. In a knitting machine, the combination of a circular bed for stitch-forming elements. a pattern-crmtrolling element, a plnralitj, nt feelers which (fo-act with said patn Iern-c introlling element for call thereby, said t'eelers and the pattern calling agencies ot' the |arttern-controlling element being arranged in rows substantially cross\vise of tite latte r. roupling relating said feclers to mid hed for stitch-forming elements, a cani reiolving around the asis ol' said hed to acman the respeetirl stitrh loi-ming; elena-nts thereof r-.hen members are interpi ,ed in its path in." corresponding couplings, and other means to artnate the teclee selected couplings lo control the interposit ion of members withU in the path of said i int said inea. actuat-V ing said couplings pr ssivcly siniseqncn'r lo their selection ln. the l'eelers :ind in :it vence el' said can; and while said cam making repeated complete revolutions about the bank of stiteh-forming elements.

42. In a knitting machine the combination with a series of needles and actuating means therefor, of a pattern mechanism, having in combination a recessedy platen, a. pattern sheet movahleover said platen and having perforations movable into registry with a recess in the platen, selectors having l'eeler fingers arranged to engage the recessed platen through the perforations in the pattern sheet, and means for moving the, platen and thereby moving the feelers engaged therewith and the correspondin selectors to differentiate said selectors rom the other selectors, the selectors being related to said needle actuating means so that said movement ol selectors controls the action of the needles.

-ll A pattern mechanism for knitting machines having in combination a recessed platen. a pattern sheet cooperating with said platen and having perl'orations and a series ot selectors movable pivot-ally and longitudinally and having fingers spring pressed toward said platen and arranged to enter a recess thereol, such selectors as engage the recess through the attern sheet pert'orations being moved longltudinally by the platen.

il. A pattern mechanism for knitting machines having in combination a recessed platen, n pattern sheet-cooperating with said platen and having perforations, a series of selectors movable pivotally and longitudinalllY and having fingers spring-pressed toward said platen and arranged to enter a recess thereof, such selectors as engage the recess through the pattern sheet perforations being moved longitudinally by the platen` stitch controlling levers positioned to be enga ged by the selectors when in projected position, a ram cooperating with the projected selectors to actuate the corresponding levers and acting also to retract the feeler tim gers from the platen recess, substantially as and for the purpose described.

In knitting machine. the combination of stitch-forming elements arranged in a circular bank, a perforated pattern-controllingr element of elongated forni, a plurality' of feelers adapted to reach into the perlorations and thereby1 he called in Vvarious combinations, said feelers and the perforations` therefor being arranged in rows suhstantiaill),` crosswisc. of the patterncontrol4 ling element, and means for coupling the tellers to the stitch-forming elements to com trot their :nj-tion, the iiatterneontri)lling element. inlvancing lengthwise to bring snceessive combinations of pattern peri'nrations tu lla; trailers While said stitch-forming! ele tiiin'f..n1e forming stitches. and other nleuns tor operating the coupling means and periuiniing the subsequent operations ot the knitting machine consequent on the said calling of the feelers so that the said patterncontrolling element performs substantially only the bare function of directing the knitting processes, said last mentioned means operating simultaneously with the formation of stitches but bei'ng timed` to exercise its control at diti'erent points around the circular machine separately and at each point exercising its control While the knitting is interrupted for the moment at that point.

46. In a circular knitting machine, the combination with a circular bank of stitchforming elements, of a pattern-controlling element having pattern-calling perforations arranged in roWs substantially crosswise of the pattern-controlling element, supporting means for the pattern-controiling element providing an axis fixed in position with re; spect to the group of feelers, around which said pattern element is advanced to make successive calls on the feelers, a group of feclers for coaction With the pattern element and li litly bearing against the same and arrange to move individually into the perforations in said pattern element, said feelers and supporting means being carried on the knitting machine in juxtaposition to its said circular bank of stitcli-forming elements, means for advancing the perforated pattern element between said supporting means and the feeler group to bring successive rows of the perforations to the feeiersi coupling means extending from the feelers, and other means including said advancing means for actuating the coupling means as the latter are selected by the action of the perforated pattern element on the feelers 47. In a circular knitting machine, the combination of a circular bank of stitch-- forming elements, a pattern-controlling element therefor, a plurality of it'eelers which bear only lightly against said element, said feelers and the pattern-calling agencies of the pattern-controlling element being arranged in rows substantially crosswise of the latter, and other means relatingr each eeler to a stitch-forming eiement` auf performing the Work oi" controlling and actuating the stitch-formin elements in accordance with the call of tie paltern-controlling element on said feelers, said other means acting round-and-round the bank of stitch-forni ing elements continuously a number ot comu plete revolutions in one direction.

48. The combination in a circuiar knitting machine, of a circular bank of stiteh-formn ing elements, a yarn guide therefor, means for revolving the yarn guide around the axis of the bank of stitche'forming elements com tinnously a number of complete resolutions in one direction, a pattern-cmd'rnliing sieM ment, n plurality oi Vi'eelers to court iberonith, said feelers and the pf tern-caiing agencies of the patterncontrolizsag element beingarranged in rows substantially crosswise of the pattern-controlling element, couplings extending from said feelers to control the action of said stitch-forming elements, and other means to actuate the couplings, said other means actuating couplings While the yarn guide is revolving around said aXis a number of complete revolutions continuously in one direction `and in accordance with the call of the pattern-controllin element on the feelers to cause the stitch ormin elements to operate in accordance with sald call of the pattern-controlling element, and said other means being so timed with respect to the formation of stitches that said other means can actuate each couplin at a time when the respectively correspon ing stitch-forming element is not acting in the formation of a stitch and While other stitchforming elements are acting to form stitches.

49. In a knitting machine, the combination of a circular bed for stitch-forming elements, a pattern-controlling element,

feelers enacting with said pattern-control` ling element for call thereby, the feelers and the pattern-calling agencies of the atterncontroiling element being arranged 1n rows substantially crosswise of the latter, couplings rciating the feelers to said bed to control the operation ot the stitch-forming elements, and other means to move those couplings which are to be moved to cause the operation of the stitch-forming elements in accordance with the call of the pattern-controlling element, said other means moving progressively those couplings selected for the knitting of each individual row ot stitches and acting round andround the machitne continuously a number of complete revolutions in one direction.

50. In a knitting machine, the combination of a circular bed tor stitch-forming elements, a yarn guide therefor revolving around the axis of said bed, a pattern-controlling element, feelers to coact with said patterncontrolling element for call thereby. said feelers and the pattern-calling agencies of the pattern-controliing element being arranged crosswise of the latter, couplings ren lating the vteelers to said bed and being individnaliy movable to control the operation of the stitclnforming elements, and other means to engage the couplings directiy to move those couplings which are to be moved to control the operation of tbe stitch-form ing elements in accordance with the cail of the pattern-controlling element, said attern-controiling element being arrange to bring a new call to a plurality of the feelers sinuiliaruumsly and being advanced to bring cii te nach smb plurality of fcelers a new only on i tu eachrevolution ot said yarn inician :and said other means mevmg the selected cnnplings progressively in cach revolution ot said yarn guide around the the pattern-controlling element being axis of said bed, and acting round and round the machine continuously a number of complete revolutions in one direction.

5l. In a `circular knittin machine, the combination of a circular for stitchorming elements, a yarn guide to revolve repeatedly around the axis of said bed in one direction, a pattern-controllingl element, a lurality of feelers to coact therewith, said eelers and the pattern-calling a encies of the pattern-controlling element eing arranged in rows substantially crosswise of the latter, cou lings, each includin a lever, relating the eelers to said bed, t e levers being placed substantially radial to and around the axis of said bed for stitch-forming elements and arranged to engage and actuate members in the bed as the couplings are actuated, and other means to actuatc the couplings, said other means actuating said levers while the yarn guide is making reeated revolutions around the axis .of said bed in one directiomand being so timed 1n its action on the respective levers that each lever to be actuated to aiiect the formation of a stitch is actuated in advance of the completion of said stitch.

52. In a knitting machine, the combinar tion of a circular bed for stitch-forming elements, a pattern-controlling element. a plu- `rality of feelers to coact therewith, said feelers and the pattern-calling agenciesof arranged in rows substantially crosswise of the latter, couplings, each including a lever, relating the feelers to said bed, said levers being arran ed t0 engage and actuate members in sai bed. as the couplings are actuated, and other means to actuate the couplings, said other means being so timed in its action on the respective levers that each lever to be actuated to affect the formation of a. stitch isactuated in advance of the com pletion of said stitch.

53. In a circular knitting machine.` the combination of a circular bed, stitch-forming elements therein, a pattern-controlling element having its pattern-calling agencies arrangedin rows crosswise of itself, a plurality of feelcrs arranged in a row crosswise of and to coact with said pattern element, couplings relating the feelers to 'said bed, each of said cou lings'including a lever arranged substantially radial to the axis of the bed and reaching to the bed to actuate a member therein. other means to actuate progressively the couplings selected by the action of the atterri element on the feelers, a cam ievolvinff around the axis of said bed to retract tie stitch-forming elements, and another cam revolving around the axis to return actuated couplin levers.

54. In a knitting machine. the combination of a circular bank of stitch-forming elements, a pattern-controlling element, a

plurality of feelers to coact with said pattern-controllin element, said feelers and the pattern caing agencies of the patterncontrolling element being arranged in rows substantially crosswise of the pattern-controlling eleinent, a lever between each of said feelers and a stitch-formino' element through which the control of stitc i-forming element is exercised, other means for operating said levers progressively around said bank in accordance with the action of the pattern-controlling element on the feelers, said other means making successive passes around the bank all in one direction while new selections of the levers to be operated by said means are being made, but being so timed as to operate each lever subsequent to the action of the attern-controlling element on the correspon ing feeler, and a cam revolving around the axis of said bank for movin those stitch-forming elements selected y said operation of the levers in a manner to produce a desi n.

55. In a knittin mac ine, the combination of a slotted ed, stitch-forming elements in slots thereof, a attern-controllin element, feelers to coact t erewith, said fee ers and the pattern-calling agencies of the pattern-controlling element being arranged in rows extending substantially crosswise of the latter, levers laid substantially radially to said bed with their pivot bearings fixed in position with respect to the slotted bed and with one end of each lever extending into a slot in said bed, said end of eac lever being related to a stitch-forming element to control the action of the same and the levers being related to said feelers adjacent their opposite ends, and other means for operating the levers in accordance with 105 the call of the pattern-controlling element on the feelers.

.56. In a knitting machine, the 'combination of a circular bed for stitch-forming elements, a yarn guide revolving about the 110 axis of said bed, a cam to actuate members in said bed, alsorevolving about said axis, a pattern-controlling element having its pattern-calling agencies arranged in rows substantially crosswise of itself, a plurality of 115 levers laid radiall around the axis of, said bed to move mem ers in said bed into the path of said cam in accordance with the call of the pattern-controlling element and other means to move the levers selected by I2 the pattern-controlling element, turning the levers on their pivots progressively in advance of the camduring individual revolutions of the cam to move the corresponding members in the bed into the path 'of said 125 cam and while the cani and yarn guide are making a number of complete revolutions about said axis uninterruptedly in one direction. f

57. In a knitting machine, the combina- 13 tion of a non-revolving circular slotted bed for sliding needles, a yarn guide revolving about the axis of said bed, a cam also revolving aboutsaid axis to project members slidable in the slots therein, a pattern-controlling element, the pattern-calling agencies of which are arranged in groups extending substantially crossWise of the direction of movement'of the pattern-controllin element, a plurality of levers, each potentia 1y subject to a call by a single pattern-calling agency of each grou of the latter, carried on the axis of said bed to project members in the bed into the path of said cam in accordance with the calls of the pattern-controlling element and other means to movethe levers selected by the pattern-controlling element to project the respectively correslponding members progressively during invidual revolutions of the cam and while said cam and yarn guide are making a number of complete revolutions about said axis uninterruptedly in one direction.

58. In a knitting machine, the combination of a circular bed for stitch-forming elements, a yarn ide revolving thereabout, a pattern-control ing element, a plurality of feelers to coact therewith, said feelers and the pattern-calling agencies of the lpatterncontrolling element being arranged 1n rows substantially crosswise of the latter, a plurality of levers substantially uniformly distributed around the entire bed and supported radially to the axis thereof, the pivotsof said levers being xed in position and each lever being related to a member in said bed and also related to a feeler, and other means to turn selected levers on their Pivots to move the corresponding members in the circular bed, said means actin progressively around the axis of the be 'at the same rate as the yarn guide revolves thereabout and while the yarn guide is making a number of complete revolutions in one direction uninterruptedly.

59. In a circular knittin machine, the combination of a circular ank of stitchforming elements, jacks for said stitch-forming elements, a pattern-controlling element, feelers therefor arranged crosswise of said pattern-controlling element, couplings connecting individual feelers to individual 'acks and other means for actuating the coup ings and rejecting and retracting all those jacks whic are to be actuated to cause the stitchforming elements to operate in accordance with the call of the pattern-controlling element on the feelers, said other means actuating the selected jacks progressively and acting round and round the machine continuously a number of complete revolutions in one direction.

60. In a knitting machine, the combinason of a circular bank of stach-forming el@` xed pivots, laid radially around` around the axis o pattern-controllin ments, a pattern-controlling element, a plurality of feelers, said feelers and the patterncalling agencies of said pattern-controlling element being arranged in rows substantially crosswise of the latter, a lever related to each feeler, said levers being distributed around the axis of said circular bank, means to connect each lever to a stitch-forming element, a cam revolving around the axis of said bank, and means to move levers selected by the acti-on of the pattern-controlling element on the feelers into the path of action of said cam for actuation thereby to cause the actuation of the corresponding stitch-forming elements to desired positions.

'61. In a knitting machine, the combination of a bed for the stitch-forming elements, cam means to move said stitch-forming elements to desired positions, a patterncontrolling element, a plurality of feelers therefor arranged crosswise of the patterncontrolling element, couplings extending from the feelers to said bed and movable to move members lying in said bed into the path of said cam means 'to permit said cam means to move the stitch-forming elements to said desired positions, and other means to actuate the couplings selected by the action of the pattern-controlling element on the feelers to move the corresponding members into the path of said cam means, the last mentioned means being arranged to move couplings while said cam means is moving stitch-forming elements but being timed to act on each selected coupling at a time when the corres onding stitch-forming element is free of sai cam means.

62. In a knitting machine, the combination of a circular bed for the stitch-forming elements, a yarn guide, a cam revolving said bed to move the stitch-forming elements, a pattern-controlling element, the pattern-calling agencies of which are arranged in rows substantially crosswise of the pattern-controlling element, couplings outside said bed extending substantially from said zittern-controlling element to said bed, ans other means to move said couplings to move members in said bed into the path of said cam`,\couplings selected by the action of the pattern-controlling element for individual revolutions of the arn guide being moved progressively and 1n advance of said cam to bring said members into the path of the latter while the cam makes a number of complete revolutions uninterruptedly. Y

6B. In a knitting machine, the combination of ai circular bed` for sliding needles, a yarn-guide revolving about said bed, a cam also revolving about said bed to project the needles, a atterri-controlling element, a plurality of elers arranged crosswise of said element, couplings extending `from the eelers to said bed to move 

